-13- attributable to Mrs. Marzullo for purposes of section 6013(e)(1)(B), we do not do so on the basis that the corporate identity of MPM should be disregarded. Rather, we sustain respondent's determination because it was Mrs. Marzullo who generated MPM's income, with only modest assistance from Mr. Marzullo. Thus, we conclude that the understatement resulting from the understated income of MPM should be attributed entirely to Mrs. Marzullo. In reaching our conclusion, we believe it appropriate to analogize MPM's income to community property income. With regard to community property, unreported income may be "attributable" for purposes of section 6013(e) to the spouse whose substantial services were required to generate the income. See Allen v. Commissioner, 514 F.2d 908, 913 (5th Cir. 1975), affg. in part and revg. in part 61 T.C. 125 (1973); Grubich v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1993-194. In the instant matter, although Mr. Marzullo owned 49 percent of MPM's stock, his involvement in producing the income of the business was limited in comparison to the role played by his wife. In addition, we give more weight to control than to stock ownership in deciding the spouse to which income from a family business should be attributed for purposes of section 6013(e). See Meyer v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1996-400. Mrs. Marzullo should not receive the benefits of innocent spouse relief to avoid tax on her own business income. Accordingly, Mrs. Marzullo is not entitled to innocent spouse relief withPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
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